2015 Bow Hunting Report Thread

[Pale Ryder]

Derwood, Do you have the furbearer stamp? You need one to kill fox.

 

[Derwood]

Derwood, Do you have the furbearer stamp? You need one to kill fox.

I didn't when I saw it, but now I do in case it comes back. Thanks for the tip.

It looks like a good amount of rain is coming our way in the next few days. Do you all bow hunt in the rain?

Personally, I figure I've got more of a chance enjoying myself and getting a deer out in the rain than at the gym or on the couch, so I'm planning to test out my new rain gear on Friday and Saturday.

I've been watching some videos on still hunting with a bow. That's some real ninja, next level stuff. If the rain is steady and heavy, and I can get into one of the bedding areas I've located with the wind in my face, I think I'll try still hunting instead of climbing up a tree. Otherwise, it seems like the deer will often move and go graze in fields whenever the rain lets up for a few minutes, and if you're not up the tree then, you won't get one.

Certainly my biggest concern with arrowing a deer in the rain is having trouble tracking it. I definitely won't take a shot more than 25 yards.

So what do you guys like to do? Stay home? Tree stand? Still hunt?

 

[outrider58]

I didn't when I saw it, but now I do in case it comes back. Thanks for the tip.

It looks like a good amount of rain is coming our way in the next few days. Do you all bow hunt in the rain?

Personally, I figure I've got more of a chance enjoying myself and getting a deer out in the rain than at the gym or on the couch, so I'm planning to test out my new rain gear on Friday and Saturday.

I've been watching some videos on still hunting with a bow. That's some real ninja, next level stuff. If the rain is steady and heavy, and I can get into one of the bedding areas I've located with the wind in my face, I think I'll try still hunting instead of climbing up a tree. Otherwise, it seems like the deer will often move and go graze in fields whenever the rain lets up for a few minutes, and if you're not up the tree then, you won't get one.

Certainly my biggest concern with arrowing a deer in the rain is having trouble tracking it. I definitely won't take a shot more than 25 yards.

So what do you guys like to do? Stay home? Tree stand? Still hunt?

I've had much better luck still hunting on clear, windy days than calm rainy ones. On rainy days I prefer to do a little snooping around or, maybe, move a tree stand if need be. the rain helps kill scent left during major operations like that. But that's just me. Good luck and have fun.

 

[highwayheat]

What do you guys think about the Ozonics thing?

I would save your money. I use a combination of scent killing laundry soap, scent killing spray, and scentless baking soda deodorant. On the first time this year I had a deer walk right under my stand then go completely down wind of me and never scent me. On the other time I've been out this year I had my 5 and 10 year old boys in a blind with me. The only difference was the boys did not have on the deodorant. I had two deer down wind of my blind within ten feet and they never alerted. Just try to keep your clothing and gear as human scent free as possible. From personal experience movement will ruin your hunt faster than scent.

 

[Inigoes]

I would save your money. I use a combination of scent killing laundry soap, scent killing spray, and scentless baking soda deodorant.

Hydrogen peroxide is also a great cleaner in a wash, or scent killer in a spray.

 

[outrider58]

I would save your money. I use a combination of scent killing laundry soap, scent killing spray, and scentless baking soda deodorant. On the first time this year I had a deer walk right under my stand then go completely down wind of me and never scent me. On the other time I've been out this year I had my 5 and 10 year old boys in a blind with me. The only difference was the boys did not have on the deodorant. I had two deer down wind of my blind within ten feet and they never alerted. Just try to keep your clothing and gear as human scent free as possible. From personal experience movement will ruin your hunt faster than scent.

First off, he already owns an Ozonics machine so there's that. Second, reread post #9 and learn. No offence but, I've been practicing scent free 'living' for a long time to the point of insanity. I bathe in nothing but scent free soaps and shampoos once the season starts. I use A hunter's scent free deodorant year-round. Before I wash my hunting clothes in scent destroying detergent, I run a regular load through the machine first using the same detergent, then through the drier. There's a difference between smelling like a human was there two hours ago(your method), and a human having never been there(my method). I'll swear to this. As I said before, Ozonics isn't a shortcut, it's part of the arsenal. It is a lot of money, granted but to discount it without any experience with it is disingenuous. Sorry to rant but I take my deer hunting seriously. It's what I live for all year.

Hydrogen peroxide is also a great cleaner in a wash, or scent killer in a spray.

It is also an astringent and will burn skin if over-used.

 

[Inigoes]

It is also an astringent and will burn skin if over-used.

Yep, the 3% stuff sold over the counter is pretty safe. Do not use any industrial grade stuff.

 

[pbharvey]

My 16 year old nephew crushed a really nice buck.

 

[outrider58]

Wow! Look at the mass! Congratulations to your nephew.

 

[Striper69]

Went again today. I was thinking of getting an aluminum ladder and getting on top of this canopy-type thing that sits on the edge of the field. It has a metal roof so I don't think I'll try that though. There's no trees around that are skinny enough to use a tree stand.

So I used the Doghouse again. Just before the sun went down I saw a little doe to the side and back of the blind. Exactly what I'm aiming for at this time (to eat). I waiting a couple of minutes and looked again but it wasn't there. A coyote or fox was howling off in the distance so I thought that might've spooked it. I looked again a few minutes later and two other deer had joined it- the deer I had seen the day before last.

I had to stick my head out of the blind and the buck busted me. He ran off making the same sound he made the other day.

He's too small for me to target so he gets a pass but I want one of the does he's running with.

 

[Derwood]

Hey Outrider,

Could you maybe write up a comprehensive post about your tactics during different types of weather and what you do for scent control? I understand if you don't want to share everything, but I've already learned a lot from some of the stuff you've written on the various threads. This is my seventh season hunting, but the first four were before I really internalized the big concepts of scent control, etc. I had no hunting mentor, so I've learned everything I know from books, videos, forums, etc.

 

[Neot]

My 16 year old nephew crushed a really nice buck.

That's a monster! Where was it taken at?

 

[pbharvey]

That's a monster! Where was it taken at?

Howard County.
(That's all you get )

 

[Neot]

Howard County.
(That's all you get )

That was all I expected!

 

[outrider58]

Howard County.
(That's all you get )

Howard Co.? Really??

 

[outrider58]

Hey Outrider,

Could you maybe write up a comprehensive post about your tactics during different types of weather and what you do for scent control? I understand if you don't want to share everything, but I've already learned a lot from some of the stuff you've written on the various threads. This is my seventh season hunting, but the first four were before I really internalized the big concepts of scent control, etc. I had no hunting mentor, so I've learned everything I know from books, videos, forums, etc.

I can try. I don't consider my self an expert by any stretch. Just an old bastard who's made just about every mistake a deer hunter can make and tried to learn from them. I can be a little opinionated at times too.

 

[wilcam47]

My 16 year old nephew crushed a really nice buck.

nice! congrats to your nephew!

I can try. I don't consider my self an expert by any stretch. Just an old bastard who's made just about every mistake a deer hunter can make and tried to learn from them. I can be a little opinionated at times too.

Im the same way...

 

[Derwood]

If either if you fine gents one day have a little too much coffee and feel the urge to spill your opinions all over the internet, I'd be very interested in reading them. I learn a little something from each experienced hunter I read/speak to and it all adds up.

 

[Striper69]

Pretty important day today.

I plan on using my Ozonics at one of the spots I've found. I hunted there yesterday but I'm pretty sure my scent was being spread to where the deer enter the area. I just sat in a spot outside a clearing on a hunting chair in the brush.

Today I'll use the Ozonics mounted outside my Doghouse blind.

 

[mark71211]

Pretty important day today.

I plan on using my Ozonics at one of the spots I've found. I hunted there yesterday but I'm pretty sure my scent was being spread to where the deer enter the area. I just sat in a spot outside a clearing on a hunting chair in the brush.

Today I'll use the Ozonics mounted outside my Doghouse blind.

Now doesn't oxonics make ozone to cover your sent. Then I always thought ozone was toxic and causes cancer?